The Sri Lankan naval Personnel on Sunday arrested 24 Indian fishermen for allegedly crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line and fishing in the island nation’s territorial waters, the Times Now reported.
“Fifteen fishermen, who were fishing between Katchathivu and Talaimannar, were arrested and taken to Talaimannar,” Indian Assistant Director of Fisheries Kulanjinathan said.
Four boats of the fishermen were also seized, he added.
This comes a few days after Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi Palanisamy raised the issue of fishermen being arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and sought the Centre’s intervention.
Taking up the matter with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister EK Palaniswami, in a letter, said the state government was “extremely” concerned over such incidents and sought Centre’s intervention into the matter.
Such incidents of the arrest of “our fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy (should) be taken up strongly at the highest diplomatic level to ensure the safety and security of our fishermen in the Palk Bay,” he said.
“The Government of Tamil Nadu is extremely concerned about the continuing apprehension and detention of our fishermen and their boats,” Palaniswami said.
-Times Now
-Agencies
